10th Empty Bowls fundraiser comes to Oakton Saturday

The 10th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser comes to Oakton Community College's Des Plaines campus on Dec. 7. For $14 participants select a handcrafted bowl, like the ones pictured here from a previous fundraiser, and enjoy a meal of soup and bread as a reminder that "someone's bowl is always empty."Daily Herald file photo

Patrons of last year's Empty Bowls fundraiser at Oakton Community College choose lunch bowls from a wide variety of handcrafted items. The Empty Bowls event celebrates its 10th anniversary on Dec. 7, when Oakton will once again host the fundraiser to raise awareness of worldwide hunger.Courtesy of Oakton Community College

Submitted by Oakton Community College

Enjoy a hot lunch on Saturday, Dec. 7, and help support Empty Bowls at Oakton.

Professional and student potters from the Chicago area have contributed hundreds of unique bowls for this annual fundraiser. The event, which raises awareness about local and worldwide hunger, will run 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Oakton's Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road in Des Plaines.

Sponsored by the Ceramics Club at Oakton, and supported by the college's Student Government Association, Empty Bowls is a nonprofit, global movement that has raised millions of dollars for food banks, soup kitchens and other meal programs. In 2012, this event at Oakton sold more than 1,400 bowls and raised nearly $30,000 for local food pantries.

For a donation of $14, participants select a distinctive handcrafted bowl and eat a simple meal of soup and bread as a reminder that "someone's bowl is always empty." The event includes a raffle drawing for ceramic art work, as well as larger art pieces. All proceeds benefit local food charities.

"This is a wonderful chance to acquire inexpensive and unique gifts while supporting people in need," said Bud Sents, vice president of the Ceramics Club.

Entertainment will be provided by Patchouli, an acoustic duo whose songs about harmony and healing inspire the human spirit.